While going around and making sure your lights and other electrical appliances are turned off when you're not using them as well as upgrading to new Energy Star rated appliances are tips that most people are aware of to save money and electricity, there are a few other easy ways to save money on your utility bills that you may not have thought of:
Water Heater - Most water heaters are set at 140F but this is actually higher than you need it to be. By setting it at 120F, you not only save approximately $36-$61 each year, but you can also prevent the possibility of scalding yourself from the higher temperature water. If you can afford it, you may even want to consider purchasing a tankless water heater. It only heats water as you need it. Regular hot water heaters heat water to a certain temperature and reheat unused water to keep it at that temperature, which costs more money to maintain as well as wastes energy.
HVAC Filters - Consider purchasing reusable filters instead of the "throw-aways". They can cost anywhere from $20-$40. But, you can recoup the cost of the filter within the first year and a half of use if changed every 3 months. All you will need to do is hose it off to clean off debris every time you change it. Changing your filters often keeps them clear of buildup, which makes them run more efficiently, thus, using less electricity to run and saving you money.
Programmable Thermostats - With as small as a $25 investment, you can save almost $200 a year simply by replacing your current thermostat with a programmable one.
Roof Color - As silly as it may sound, simply painting your roof white, especially in hotter climates, can save you up to 40% in cooling costs. That can be a savings of approximately $120 per year. Talk to your paint store to find out what elastomeric coated paint will work for you.
Unplug Unused Appliances - It's not enough to simply turn off unused lights or appliances. While that's a good thing to do, appliances that are plugged in but not turned on still use electricity. Plugging your TVs, stereo and computer equipment into a surge protector can allow you to make sure they are all completely unplugged at one time. This can account for approximately 5% of your electricity bill.
Little savings add up quickly. So follow these tips and you will see that they are easy ways to save money on your utility bills. If you need to relocate to the Reno area, contact me today.
Charlene Hamilton, your Reno relocation and Certified Distressed Properties Expert
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